A Double Tribute To The Founders Of Nu-Metal

August 29, 2026

The Brass Mug, Tampa, Florida

Roughly a year ago, a super group of locally based national touring musicians Robert “Angelo” Rivera (Vocals), Daniel Cruz (Drums), JP Caro (Guitar), Jonathan Maas (Guitars), Chris Alaimo (Bass), had an idea that virtually changed the face of Tampa’s Tribute Scene by forming a band giving a nod to a band widely considered the founders of Nu-Metal, KoRn. After Months of preparation, “Got The Life”- The KoRn Tribute was born.

A full year of selling out historic stages across Florida, they were silently planning another venture aimed at a band, who arguably was the one who cut the path for the Nu-Metal genre.

The Deftones..

The Stage:

Tampa is widely known as “The Capital Of Death Metal” and one venue particularly is the epitome of supporting the scene, of not only original bands, but giving new projects a place to shine, The Brass Mug. For years “The Mug” as it’s referred to by locals has had The Who’s who on its stage when they roll through the Bay Area. Hosting events like the annual Tampa Bay Death Fest and Florida’s Wacken Battle. The Mug was the perfect stage for the intense, down right gritty night of Nu Metal Mayhem.

The biggest names in metal are know to frequent The Mug. From members of Canibal Corpse & CROSSBREED. To members of Tantirc and Candlebox. it’s the house where music royalty came to melt faces, or just kick back and have a few drinks with fans. August 29th was no different.

Jakob Sin (CROSSBREED), Tampa Bay Metal Scene promoter James Harrington, Chris Mullen (Dying Tide), Shane Ryan (Downside Up 90s Rewind), & Johnny Ray (3 Headed Snake/The Mourning) were all in attendance.

The Set List:

A historic hand picked grouping of songs that defined an era of music for generations.

A polarizing journey across the discography of two polar opposite bands. It was like a Time Machine that took you through music history, as if to put fans in attendance on the feral grounds before the Nu Metal genre had a foundation and the peak of its rise over history.

The Debut of OHMS- The Deftones Experience:

July 16th, I woke up to a buzz across my social media pages. The announcement of the newest tribute project was passed around like a batch of grandmas home made cheddar biscuits at the dinner table with captions “Deftones? LFG!” And “Holy Sh!t! I’m ready for this!” From fans.

After months of preparation, the date was picked. Set list was made, the venue was booked.

At 9:45pm on August 29th the lights of the already dark Brass Mug dimmed to a low indigo. The anticipation was so thick you could feel it from corner to corner. The glow of the black & white checkered floor of The Mug contrasted between the bodies of fans in attendance and then… the opening crunch of “Feiticeira” from Johnathan Maas’ Drop C tuned guitar rattled the walls.

The combination of the deep groove from Chris Alaimo’s Bass and Daniel Cruz’s kick drum made the legs of my jeans and hair of my beard dance from the sheer intensity of the sound system output. Almost having to stop and gather my thoughts while in the moment. it was officially the birth of OHMS- The Deftones Experience.

The anticipation grew.. song 5, my all time favorite. The iconic soundtrack from The 2002 Gothic Horror blockbuster “Queen Of The Dammed”. “Change” (In The House Of Flys). Just when I thought the drama reached its pinnacle, it went through the roof!

Lead Vocalist Robert “Angelo” Rivera stepped up on the front wedge. The light indigo static wash contrasted with his black stage attire and red microphone, painting a haunting picture in front of me fit for the iconic song lyrics he was about to belt out from the depth of his soul. “I Watched A Change, In You” while fans returned “Like you never, had Wings.” I don’t know if it was the bond I had with this group of musicians or the connection, anticipation, and energy from the crowd. But I was covered in goosebumps. It’s the thing I love most about being a Concert Photographer.

The group went through the stragicly picked set list like heart surgeons. Every note precise, every world haunting, meaningful, and damn near spot on sound to the original music.

Everything from hair style, to attire, and performance was a nod to the Nu-Metal legends. OHMS, was ALIVE. They were here, and they proved why for any doubt.

But the night was far from over…

The Alter Ego: Got The Life- KoRn Tribute

A quick change out and attire change and the members who just delivered a heartfelt hour long, gut punch came back out as the group they have been ravishing stages across Florida.

the stage lights dimmed to a mild red with mixed green static washes. The only thing visible was the screen background graphics swirling off the head of drummer Daniel Cruz. And then….the iconic ride bell tap of KoRn’s smash hit “Blind” With guitars screaming “dah na nanah”.. Chris entered from left stage thumping the bass line do da do dooo. And then… the question that defined generations

”ARE YOU READYY?!!”

The floor went from a calm stare, to and insane mash of moshing and jumping.

Dreads were flying, the walls shook, and the gas pedal was mashed through the floor.

This wasn’t just any tribute. This was a two headed Nu-Metal Monster!

22 songs from across KoRns discography were played spanning an hour and a half of insane, in your face MAYHEM. From “Blind” & “Got The Life” to ”A.D.I.D.A.S” & “Trash”

They came in on a “ White Pony” and finished by dragging everyone in attendance around like a “Freak On A Leash”.

At the end of it all, they proved that they came to give a professional nod tNu-Metal legends. But they can serve a double dose of insanity of two different worlds and this was just the beginning.

From start to finish the night was strategically thought out for a whirl wind of insanity.

This double tribute is going to over take stages across Florida and beyond. And anyone who sleeps on the fact is wrongly mistaken.